Magnetic cane mount

ABSTRACT

A system and apparatus for storing canes in an easily accessible location by the user through the use of magnets is described. One magnet is located at the end of the handle. This magnet can also be used to pick up metallic objects, such as keys, without having to bend over all the way to the ground. The second magnet is located at the center of the cane. This magnet can attach the cane to any metallic surface at a level that the user can re-grasp without having to bend over. Furthermore, attachments are included that can be attached to table tops or other furniture that is small, compact, transportable and metallic that can be put in place for attachment thereto by the magnetic cane in those situations where no metallic surface is pre-existing.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of provisional application60/841,316, filed Aug. 31, 2006 entitled MAGNETIC CANE MOUNT by MarkWilson, Heather Terbell and John Stump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of canes andspecifically to a cane that can be magnetically mounted for storage whennot in use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Canes are required by many individuals in order to get around by foot.Canes are required when walking unassisted is extremely difficult,painful or impossible. However, once the cane user sits down anddiscontinues temporarily the use of the cane, the cane needs to beeasily retrievable for when it is next needed. Oftentimes, the cane mustbe placed on the ground where it can be difficult for the cane user toretrieve.

Other options include the placement of the cane on a table so it iswithin easy reach. However, once the cane is placed on a table, there isusually very little room left for little else. This is inconvenient whenthe table is needed for a meal or other business.

Also, canes have been mounted on hooks or other cane holding devices inthe past, where available. But if not cane mounts are present in thelocation where the cane user is, and typically they are not, the caneuser is left with the predicament of having no way to store the cane inan easily accessible location.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a system andapparatus that will allow a cane user the flexibility to store his orher cane, no matter where the user is located and regardless of whetheror not a pre-existing hook or other cane holding device has beeninstalled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a canecomprising a shaft having a bottom portion, a mid portion and a topportion; a handle attached to the top portion of the shaft; a firstmagnet housed in the handle; and a second magnet housed in the midportion of the shaft.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that there is agripping portion on said handle.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that there is acapping means to cap said first magnet onto said handle.

A second embodiment defines a method for storing a cane when not in usecomprising locating a metallic surface; utilizing a cane, the canefurther comprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and atop portion; a handle attached to the top portion of the shaft; a firstmagnet housed in the handle; and a second magnet housed in the midportion of the shaft; and placement of the cane against the metallicsurface adhering the cane to the metallic surface through one of thefirst or second magnets housed in the cane.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining a further stepwherein no metallic surface can be located, the method furthercomprising the step of providing a metallic surface that can be attachedto any non-metallic surface through an attachment means.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that theattachment means utilizes an adhesive on the back side of the metallicsurface.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining that theattachment means utilizes screws and holes to be drilled through themetallic surface wherein the screws permanently affix the metallicsurface to any non-metallic surface.

The embodiment above can be further modified by defining a further stepwherein no metallic surface can be located, the method furthercomprising the step of providing a springed clip with a metallic surfacethat can be attached to any planar surface, such as a table top, thespringed clip further comprising a top planar portion that rests on thetop of the planar surface; a vertical portion having a top part and abottom part, the top part being attached to the top planar portionwherein the vertical portion has an outwardly facing metallic surface;and a bottom portion that is attached to the bottom part of the verticalportion that grips the bottom of the planar surface holding the springclip in place.

A third embodiment teaches a method for retrieving a metallic objectcomprising locating the metallic object on the ground; utilizing a caneto magnetically capture the metallic object, the cane further comprisinga shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a top portion; ahandle attached to the top portion of the shaft; a first magnet housedin the handle; and a second magnet housed in the mid portion of theshaft; and raising the cane containing the metallic object to an easilyreachable position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the instantinvention.

FIG. 2 is taken along the line A in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is taken along the line A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention with the attachment that allowsfor storage of the cane on a table top without a pre-existing metallicsurface.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the top of the apparatus of theinstant invention as it is attached to a table top as in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the attachment that allows for attachment to atable top.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, with a narrower table top for attachmentthereto.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the invention with the metallic attachmentattached to the magnet found in the center portion of the cane.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the invention with the metallicattachment attached to the magnet found in the center portion of thecane.

FIG. 11 is the same as FIG. 10 but with the metallic attachmentunattached to the cane.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the invention with the metallic attachmentattached to the magnet found in the handle portion of the cane.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the invention with the metallicattachment attached to the magnet found in the handle portion of thecane.

FIG. 14 is the same as FIG. 3, but with the metallic attachmentunattached to the cane.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the invention as it is used to retrievea metal object on the ground using the magnet found in the handleportion of the cane.

FIG. 16 shows the person in FIG. 15 retrieving the metallic objectpicked up by the cane.

FIG. 17 is a view of the apparatus as it is attached to a pre-existingmetallic object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to the drawings, the preferred embodiment is illustrated anddescribed by reference characters that denote similar elementsthroughout the several views of the instant invention.

The instant invention is a system that allows for the storage of a cane10 using a first magnet 11 permanently located in the handle 12 of thecane 10 and a second magnet 13 permanently located in the middle portion14 of the cane 10.

As can bee seen in FIGS. 1-4, the handle 12 of the cane 10 contains agripping portion 15 and a tip 16 that houses the magnet 11 that is thencapped by a capping means 17.

FIGS. 5-6 show the cane 10 as it attaches to the clamping attachment 18that attaches to a flat surface such as a table top 19. This option isused when the user finds himself at a place where no pre-existingmetallic surface exists. The clamping attachment 18 is simply attachedto the surface of the table top 19 and the cane 10 is attached to theclamping attachment 18 because it is metallic. FIGS. 7-8 show how theclamping attachment 18 is adjustable to a variety of thicknesses oftable tops. The table top 20 in FIG. 8 is thicker than the table top 21in FIG. 8, but the clamping attachment 18 fits on either thickness. Theattachment 18 has a top portion 22, a metallic surface portion 23 and abottom clamping portion 24 that hooks under the flat surface table top20, 21. The clamping attachment 18 is typically a metal clip that canspring open to fit a range of sizes of tables. The clip 18 has arubberized coating to prevent scratching of the cane 10. The coatingalso helps the clip 18 keep traction on the table 20, 21 as the cane 10is attached and removed.

An alternative embodiment is shown if FIGS. 9-14. In this embodiment, ametallic bridge 25 is provided that can attach either to the magneticportion 13 in the center of the cane 14, as seen in FIGS. 9-11 or to themagnetic portion 11 in the handle 12, as seen in FIGS. 12-14. Themetallic bridge 25 serves as a surface on which to place the cane 10that can then be attached to a non-metallic surface. Typically, thesebridges 25 are then adhered to another surface that is non-metallic,either through an adhesive or through the use of screws and holes foundin the bridge 25.

Shown in FIGS. 15-16 is the function of the cane 10 that allows the user26 to retrieve metallic objects, such as keys 27 that have fallen on theground 28.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatorypurposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.This disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope ofthe invention and/or claims of the embodiment illustrated. Those skilledin the art will make modifications to the invention for particularapplications of the invention.

1. A cane comprising a shaft having a bottom portion, a mid portion anda top portion; a handle attached to said top portion of said shaft; afirst magnet housed in said handle; and a second magnet housed in saidmid portion of said shaft.
 2. A cane as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising a gripping portion on said handle.
 3. A cane as defined inclaim 1 further comprising a capping means to cap said first magnet ontosaid handle.
 4. A method for storing a cane when not in use comprisinglocating a metallic surface; utilizing a cane, said cane furthercomprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a topportion; a handle attached to said top portion of said shaft; a firstmagnet housed in said handle; and a second magnet housed in said midportion of said shaft; and placement of said cane against said metallicsurface adhering said cane to said metallic surface through one of saidfirst or second magnets housed in said cane.
 5. A method as defined inclaim 4 wherein no metallic surface can be located, said method furthercomprising the step of providing a metallic surface that can be attachedto any non-metallic surface through an attachment means.
 6. A method asdefined in claim 5 wherein said attachment means utilizes an adhesive onthe back side of said metallic surface.
 7. A method as defined in claim5 wherein said attachment means utilizes screws and holes to be drilledthrough said metallic surface wherein said screws permanently affix saidmetallic surface to any non-metallic surface.
 8. A method as defined inclaim 4 wherein no metallic surface can be located, said method furthercomprising the step of providing a springed clip with a metallic surfacethat can be attached to any planar surface, such as a table top, saidspringed clip further comprising a top planar portion that rests on thetop of said planar surface; a vertical portion having a top part and abottom part, said top part being attached to said top planar portionwherein said vertical portion has an outwardly facing metallic surface;and a bottom portion that is attached to said bottom part of saidvertical portion that grips the bottom of said planar surface holdingsaid spring clip in place.
 9. A method for retrieving a metallic objectcomprising locating said metallic object on the ground; utilizing a caneto magnetically capture said metallic object, said cane furthercomprising a shaft having a bottom portion a mid portion and a topportion; a handle attached to said top portion of said shaft; a firstmagnet housed in said handle; and a second magnet housed in said midportion of said shaft; and raising said cane containing said metallicobject to an easily reachable position.